ABCtech #111 07MAR18 Managing Change. BIG IDEAS for diversifying Albertas Economy

ABCtech #111 07MAR18 Managing Change. BIG IDEAS for diversifying Albertas Economy

MANAGING CHANGE. BIG Ideas for diversifying Alberta’s economy

Our spring survey is open HERE throughout March for monitoring Alberta’s economic resilience AND the effectiveness of it’s innovation ecosystem. The survey is prompting the exchange of BIG Ideas HERE Survey results will be release in April. The fall ’17 results can be found HERE.

ENERGY. Fusion – At the Tipping point? Over $1.6B of private capital has been invested in the ultimate source of energy – Fusion. FOR MORE

TRANSPORTATION. Automated Vehicles – Alberta

Imagine Alberta as a leader in this – about to explode, emerging industry – automated vehicles. During a recent trip to Calgary ABCtech was invited to participate in a discussion of automated/ driverless transportation and to formulate an inspiring vision, a BIG idea for guiding change. We’d like to help identify Alberta interests in AV to share with the founding organizers. HERE

EDUCATION. Engaging Youth – the future of work. As students prepare to graduate one of the most pressing question has always been “What’s next?” Emerging technologies are adding to their angst and career uncertainty.

ABCtech has commissioned the Centre for Global Education to engage over 5,000 students – and team leaders, in a dialogue about the future of work – a follow-on to our 2017 project “Alberta 2030” HERE

Crowdsourcing is being entertained to help finance the Engaging Youth project series including an international conference in 2020: Student’s donating $25 HERE and Others $100 HERE receive a free one-year ABCtech Membership and copies of the 2017 and pending 2018 reports. Project sponsorships are available. FOR MORE

EDUCATION. Google argues that soft skills trump STEM for career success. HERE

EDUCATION. Students seeking summer project work.Do you need assistance with your projects this summer? Mount Royal University students are requiring summer work terms and can help you meet your goals.

Bachelor of Communication – Information Design students use skills in research, visual design, writing, content management and user experience to produce engaging external and internal communication material that is easy to understand. For More Contact HERE

MANAGEMENT. Succession Planning

GOVERNMENT. Science Research

Laura Johnston

Aging owners drive urgency to plan transfer or sale of SMEs. Within the next 10 years, Canada’s SME sector will undergo a massive transfer of wealth. Driven primarily by the retirement of baby boomers now aged 55 years and older, this transfer of business ownership is estimated at $1 to $4 trillion.

Economic indicators suggest that Canadian SMEs are simply unprepared for this transfer of wealth. As of this year, up to 75% of Canadian SMEs fail to be sold successfully. FOR MORE

Derrick Rancourt

Federal budget – A black hole for research. Now that science has passed through a second period of starvation, during the decade of Conservative government led by Stephen Harper, this budget promises to rescue the careers of a generation of young scientists. Those scientists were running out of options because they couldn’t find enough funding to establish competitive research programs.

With this new infusion of research dollars, the hyper-competition we’ve observed over the past few years may be lifted. This is where more established investigators have had a competitive advantage because of their track records and greater experience. Now, with additional funding, concessions will be given to earmark more funding for scientists who are less than five years into their careers. FOR MORE